stairs,andwasonlypreventedbytheKinghimselffromputtingthemtodeath.Thatsamenight,hehotlydepartedwithsomefollowersfromhisfather'scourt,andendeavouredtotaketheCastleofRouenbysurprise.Failinginthis,heshuthimselfupinanotherCastleinNormandy,whichtheKingbesieged,andwhereRobertonedayunhorsedandnearlykilledhimwithoutknowingwhohewas.Hissubmissionwhenhediscoveredhisfather,andtheintercessionofthequeenandothers,reconciledthem;butnotsoundly;forRobertsoonstrayedabroad,andwentfromcourttocourtwithhiscomplaints.Hewasagay,careless,thoughtlessfellow,spendingallhegotonmusiciansanddancers;buthismotherlovedhim,andoften,againsttheKing'scommand,suppliedhimwithmoneythroughamessengernamedSAMSON.AtlengththeincensedKingsworehewouldtearoutSamson'seyes;andSamson,thinkingthathisonlyhopeofsafetywasinbecomingamonk,becameone,wentonsucherrandsnomore,andkepthiseyesinhishead.
　　Allthistime,fromtheturbulentdayofhisstrangecoronation,theConquerorhadbeenstruggling,yousee,atanycostofcrueltyandbloodshed,tomaintainwhathehadseized.Allhisreign,hestruggledstill,withthesameobjecteverbeforehim.Hewasastern,boldman,andhesucceededinit.
　　Helovedmoney,andwasparticularinhiseating,buthehadonlyleisuretoindulgeoneotherpassion,andthatwashisloveofhunting.Hecarriedittosuchaheightthatheorderedwholevillagesandtownstobesweptawaytomakeforestsforthedeer.
　　Notsatisfiedwithsixty-eightRoyalForests,helaidwasteanimmensedistrict,toformanotherinHampshire,calledtheNewForest.Themanythousandsofmiserablepeasantswhosawtheirlittlehousespulleddown,andthemselvesandchildrenturnedintotheopencountrywithoutashelter,detestedhimforhismercilessadditiontotheirmanysufferings;andwhen,inthetwenty-firstyearofhisreignwhichprovedtobethelast,hewentovertoRouen,Englandwasasfullofhatredagainsthim,asifeveryleafoneverytreeinallhisRoyalForestshadbeenacurseuponhishead.IntheNewForest,hissonRichardforhehadfoursons
　　hadbeengoredtodeathbyaStag;andthepeoplesaidthatthissocruelly-madeForestwouldyetbefataltoothersoftheConqueror'srace.
　　HewasengagedinadisputewiththeKingofFranceaboutsometerritory.WhilehestayedatRouen,negotiatingwiththatKing,hekepthisbedandtookmedicines:beingadvisedbyhisphysicianstodoso,onaccountofhavinggrowntoanunwieldysize.WordbeingbroughttohimthattheKingofFrancemadelightofthis,andjokedaboutit,hesworeinagreatragethatheshouldruehisjests.Heassembledhisarmy,marchedintothedisputedterritory,burnt-hisoldway!-thevines,thecrops,andfruit,andsetthetownofMantesonfire.But,inanevilhour;for,asherodeoverthehotruins,hishorse,settinghishoofsuponsomeburningembers,started,threwhimforwardagainstthepommelofthesaddle,andgavehimamortalhurt.ForsixweekshelaydyinginamonasterynearRouen,andthenmadehiswill,givingEnglandtoWilliam,NormandytoRobert,andfivethousandpoundstoHenry.Andnow,hisviolentdeedslayheavyonhismind.HeorderedmoneytobegiventomanyEnglishchurchesandmonasteries,and-whichwasmuchbetterrepentance-releasedhisprisonersofstate,someofwhomhadbeenconfinedinhisdungeonstwentyyears.
　　ItwasaSeptembermorning,andthesunwasrising,whentheKingwasawakenedfromslumberbythesoundofachurchbell.'Whatbellisthat?'hefaintlyasked.TheytoldhimitwasthebellofthechapelofSaintMary.'Icommendmysoul,'saidhe,'toMary!'
　　anddied.
　　Thinkofhisname,TheConqueror,andthenconsiderhowhelayindeath!Themomenthewasdead,hisphysicians,priests,andnobles,notknowingwhatcontestforthethronemightnowtakeplace,orwhatmighthappeninit,hastenedaway,eachmanforhimselfandhisownproperty;themercenaryservantsofthecourtbegantorobandplunder;thebodyoftheKing,intheindecentstrife,wasrolledfromthebed,andlayalone,forhours,upontheground.OConqueror,ofwhomsomanygreatnamesareproudnow,ofwhomsomanygreatnamesthoughtnothingthen,itwerebettertohaveconqueredonetrueheart,thanEngland!
　　By-and-by,thepriestscamecreepinginwithprayersandcandles;
　　andagoodknight,namedHERLUIN,undertookwhichnooneelsewoulddotoconveythebodytoCaen,inNormandy,inorderthatitmightbeburiedinSt.Stephen'schurchthere,whichtheConquerorhadfounded.Butfire,ofwhichhehadmadesuchbaduseinhislife,seemedtofollowhimofitselfindeath.Agreatconflagrationbrokeoutinthetownwhenthebodywasplacedinthechurch;andthosepresentrunningouttoextinguishtheflames,itwasonceagainleftalone.
　　Itwasnotevenburiedinpeace.Itwasabouttobeletdown,initsRoyalrobes,intoatombnearthehighaltar,inpresenceofagreatconcourseofpeople,whenaloudvoiceinthecrowdcriedout,'Thisgroundismine!Uponit,stoodmyfather'shouse.ThisKingdespoiledmeofbothgroundandhousetobuildthischurch.
　　InthegreatnameofGOD,Ihereforbidhisbodytobecoveredwiththeearththatismyright!'Thepriestsandbishopspresent,knowingthespeaker'sright,andknowingthattheKinghadoftendeniedhimjustice,paidhimdownsixtyshillingsforthegrave.
　　Eventhen,thecorpsewasnotatrest.Thetombwastoosmall,andtheytriedtoforceitin.Itbroke,adreadfulsmellarose,thepeoplehurriedoutintotheair,and,forthethirdtime,itwasleftalone.
　　WhereweretheConqueror'sthreesons,thattheywerenotattheirfather'sburial?Robertwasloungingamongminstrels,dancers,andgamesters,inFranceorGermany.Henrywascarryinghisfivethousandpoundssafelyawayinaconvenientchesthehadgotmade.
　　WilliamtheRedwashurryingtoEngland,tolayhandsupontheRoyaltreasureandthecrown.
　　CHAPTERIX-ENGLANDUNDERWILLIAMTHESECOND,CALLEDRUFUS
　　WILLIAMTHERED,inbreathlesshaste,securedthethreegreatfortsofDover,Pevensey,andHastings,andmadewithhotspeedforWinchester,wheretheRoyaltreasurewaskept.Thetreasurerdeliveringhimthekeys,hefoundthatitamountedtosixtythousandpoundsinsilver,besidesgoldandjewels.Possessedofthiswealth,hesoonpersuadedtheArchbishopofCanterburytocrownhim,andbecameWilliamtheSecond,KingofEngland.
　　Rufuswasnosooneronthethrone,thanheorderedintoprisonagaintheunhappystatecaptiveswhomhisfatherhadsetfree,anddirectedagoldsmithtoornamenthisfather'stombprofuselywithgoldandsilver.ItwouldhavebeenmoredutifulinhimtohaveattendedthesickConquerorwhenhewasdying;butEnglanditself,likethisRedKing,whooncegovernedit,hassometimesmadeexpensivetombsfordeadmenwhomittreatedshabbilywhentheywerealive.
　　TheKing'sbrother,RobertofNormandy,seemingquitecontenttobeonlyDukeofthatcountry;andtheKing'sotherbrother,Fine-
　　Scholar,beingquietenoughwithhisfivethousandpoundsinachest;theKingflatteredhimself,wemaysuppose,withthehopeofaneasyreign.Buteasyreignsweredifficulttohaveinthosedays.TheturbulentBishopODOwhohadblessedtheNormanarmyattheBattleofHastings,andwho,Idaresay,tookallthecreditofthevictorytohimselfsoonbegan,inconcertwithsomepowerfulNormannobles,totroubletheRedKing.
　　Thetruthseemstobethatthisbishopandhisfriends,whohadlandsinEnglandandlandsinNormandy,wishedtoholdbothunderoneSovereign;andgreatlypreferredathoughtlessgood-naturedperson,suchasRobertwas,toRufus;who,thoughfarfrombeinganamiablemaninanyrespect,waskeen,andnottobeimposedupon.
　　TheydeclaredinRobert'sfavour,andretiredtotheircastlesthosecastleswereverytroublesometokingsinasullenhumour.
　　TheRedKing,seeingtheNormansthusfallingfromhim,revengedhimselfuponthembyappealingtotheEnglish;towhomhemadeavarietyofpromises,whichhenevermeanttoperform-inparticular,promisestosoftenthecrueltyoftheForestLaws;andwho,inreturn,soaidedhimwiththeirvalour,thatODOwasbesiegedintheCastleofRochester,andforcedtoabandonit,andtodepartfromEnglandforever:whereupontheotherrebelliousNormannoblesweresoonreducedandscattered.
　　Then,theRedKingwentovertoNormandy,wherethepeoplesufferedgreatlyunderthelooseruleofDukeRobert.TheKing'sobjectwastoseizeupontheDuke'sdominions.This,theDuke,ofcourse,preparedtoresist;andmiserablewarbetweenthetwobrothersseemedinevitable,whenthepowerfulnoblesonbothsides,whohadseensomuchofwar,interferedtopreventit.Atreatywasmade.
　　Eachofthetwobrothersagreedtogiveupsomethingofhisclaims,andthatthelonger-liverofthetwoshouldinheritallthedominionsoftheother.Whentheyhadcometothislovingunderstanding,theyembracedandjoinedtheirforcesagainstFine-
　　Scholar;whohadboughtsometerritoryofRobertwithapartofhisfivethousandpounds,andwasconsideredadangerousindividualinconsequence.
　　St.Michael'sMount,inNormandythereisanotherSt.Michael'sMount,inCornwall,wonderfullylikeit,wasthen,asitisnow,astrongplacepercheduponthetopofahighrock,aroundwhich,whenthetideisin,theseaflows,leavingnoroadtothemainland.Inthisplace,Fine-Scholarshuthimselfupwithhissoldiers,andherehewascloselybesiegedbyhistwobrothers.Atonetime,whenhewasreducedtogreatdistressforwantofwater,thegenerousRobertnotonlypermittedhismentogetwater,butsentFine-Scholarwinefromhisowntable;and,onbeingremonstratedwithbytheRedKing,said'What!shallweletourownbrotherdieofthirst?Whereshallwegetanother,whenheisgone?'Atanothertime,theRedKingridingaloneontheshoreofthebay,lookingupattheCastle,wastakenbytwoofFine-
　　Scholar'smen,oneofwhomwasabouttokillhim,whenhecriedout,'Hold,knave!IamtheKingofEngland!'Thestorysaysthatthesoldierraisedhimfromthegroundrespectfullyandhumbly,andthattheKingtookhimintohisservice.Thestorymayormaynotbetrue;butatanyrateitistruethatFine-Scholarcouldnotholdoutagainsthisunitedbrothers,andthatheabandonedMountSt.Michael,andwanderedabout-aspoorandforlornasotherscholarshavebeensometimesknowntobe.
　　TheScotchbecameunquietintheRedKing'stime,andweretwicedefeated-thesecondtime,withthelossoftheirKing,Malcolm,andhisson.TheWelshbecameunquiettoo.Againstthem,Rufuswaslesssuccessful;fortheyfoughtamongtheirnativemountains,anddidgreatexecutionontheKing'stroops.RobertofNormandybecameunquiettoo;and,complainingthathisbrothertheKingdidnotfaithfullyperformhispartoftheiragreement,tookuparms,andobtainedassistancefromtheKingofFrance,whomRufus,intheend,boughtoffwithvastsumsofmoney.Englandbecameunquiettoo.LordMowbray,thepowerfulEarlofNorthumberland,headedagreatconspiracytodeposetheKing,andtoplaceuponthethrone,STEPHEN,theConqueror'snearrelative.Theplotwasdiscovered;
　　allthechiefconspiratorswereseized;somewerefined,somewereputinprison,somewereputtodeath.TheEarlofNorthumberlandhimselfwasshutupinadungeonbeneathWindsorCastle,wherehedied,anoldman,thirtylongyearsafterwards.ThePriestsinEnglandweremoreunquietthananyotherclassorpower;fortheRedKingtreatedthemwithsuchsmallceremonythatherefusedtoappointnewbishopsorarchbishopswhentheoldonesdied,butkeptallthewealthbelongingtothoseofficesinhisownhands.Inreturnforthis,thePriestswrotehislifewhenhewasdead,andabusedhimwell.Iaminclinedtothink,myself,thattherewaslittletochoosebetweenthePriestsandtheRedKing;thatbothsidesweregreedyanddesigning;andthattheywerefairlymatched.
　　TheRedKingwasfalseofheart,selfish,covetous,andmean.Hehadaworthyministerinhisfavourite,Ralph,nicknamed-foralmosteveryfamouspersonhadanicknameinthoseroughdays-
　　Flambard,ortheFirebrand.Once,theKingbeingill,becamepenitent,andmadeANSELM,aforeignpriestandagoodman,ArchbishopofCanterbury.Buthenosoonergotwellagainthanherepentedofhisrepentance,andpersistedinwrongfullykeepingtohimselfsomeofthewealthbelongingtothearchbishopric.Thisledtoviolentdisputes,whichwereaggravatedbytherebeinginRomeatthattimetworivalPopes;eachofwhomdeclaredhewastheonlyrealoriginalinfalliblePope,whocouldn'tmakeamistake.
　　Atlast,Anselm,knowingtheRedKing'scharacter,andnotfeelinghimselfsafeinEngland,askedleavetoreturnabroad.TheRedKinggladlygaveit;forheknewthatassoonasAnselmwasgone,hecouldbegintostoreupalltheCanterburymoneyagain,forhisownuse.
　　Bysuchmeans,andbytaxingandoppressingtheEnglishpeopleineverypossibleway,theRedKingbecameveryrich.Whenhewantedmoneyforanypurpose,heraiseditbysomemeansorother,andcarednothingfortheinjusticehedid,orthemiseryhecaused.
　　HavingtheopportunityofbuyingfromRobertthewholeduchyofNormandyforfiveyears,hetaxedtheEnglishpeoplemorethanever,andmadetheveryconventsselltheirplateandvaluablestosupplyhimwiththemeanstomakethepurchase.Buthewasasquickandeagerinputtingdownrevoltashewasinraisingmoney;
　　for,apartoftheNormanpeopleobjecting-verynaturally,I
　　think-tobeingsoldinthisway,heheadedanarmyagainstthemwithallthespeedandenergyofhisfather.Hewassoimpatient,thatheembarkedforNormandyinagreatgaleofwind.Andwhenthesailorstoldhimitwasdangeroustogotoseainsuchangryweather,hereplied,'Hoistsailandaway!Didyoueverhearofakingwhowasdrowned?'
　　YouwillwonderhowitwasthateventhecarelessRobertcametosellhisdominions.Ithappenedthus.IthadlongbeenthecustomformanyEnglishpeopletomakejourneystoJerusalem,whichwerecalledpilgrimages,inorderthattheymightpraybesidethetombofOurSaviourthere.JerusalembelongingtotheTurks,andtheTurkshatingChristianity,theseChristiantravellerswereofteninsultedandillused.ThePilgrimsboreitpatientlyforsometime,butatlengtharemarkableman,ofgreatearnestnessandeloquence,calledPETERTHEHERMIT,begantopreachinvariousplacesagainsttheTurks,andtodeclarethatitwasthedutyofgoodChristianstodriveawaythoseunbelieversfromthetombofOurSaviour,andtotakepossessionofit,andprotectit.Anexcitementsuchastheworldhadneverknownbeforewascreated.
　　ThousandsandthousandsofmenofallranksandconditionsdepartedforJerusalemtomakewaragainsttheTurks.ThewariscalledinhistorythefirstCrusade,andeveryCrusaderworeacrossmarkedonhisrightshoulder.
　　AlltheCrusaderswerenotzealousChristians.Amongthemwerevastnumbersoftherestless,idle,profligate,andadventurousspiritofthetime.SomebecameCrusadersfortheloveofchange;
　　some,inthehopeofplunder;some,becausetheyhadnothingtodoathome;some,becausetheydidwhattheprieststoldthem;some,becausetheylikedtoseeforeigncountries;some,becausetheywerefondofknockingmenabout,andwouldassoonknockaTurkaboutasaChristian.RobertofNormandymayhavebeeninfluencedbyallthesemotives;andbyakinddesire,besides,tosavetheChristianPilgrimsfrombadtreatmentinfuture.Hewantedtoraiseanumberofarmedmen,andtogototheCrusade.Hecouldnotdosowithoutmoney.Hehadnomoney;andhesoldhisdominionstohisbrother,theRedKing,forfiveyears.Withthelargesumhethusobtained,hefittedouthisCrusadersgallantly,andwentawaytoJerusaleminmartialstate.TheRedKing,whomademoneyoutofeverything,stayedathome,busilysqueezingmoremoneyoutofNormansandEnglish.
　　Afterthreeyearsofgreathardshipandsuffering-fromshipwreckatsea;fromtravelinstrangelands;fromhunger,thirst,andfever,upontheburningsandsofthedesert;andfromthefuryoftheTurks-thevaliantCrusadersgotpossessionofOurSaviour'stomb.TheTurkswerestillresistingandfightingbravely,butthissuccessincreasedthegeneraldesireinEuropetojointheCrusade.AnothergreatFrenchDukewasproposingtosellhisdominionsforatermtotherichRedKing,whentheRedKing'sreigncametoasuddenandviolentend.
　　YouhavenotforgottentheNewForestwhichtheConquerormade,andwhichthemiserablepeoplewhosehomeshehadlaidwaste,sohated.
　　ThecrueltyoftheForestLaws,andthetortureanddeaththeybroughtuponthepeasantry,increasedthishatred.ThepoorpersecutedcountrypeoplebelievedthattheNewForestwasenchanted.Theysaidthatinthunder-storms,andondarknights,demonsappeared,movingbeneaththebranchesofthegloomytrees.
　　TheysaidthataterriblespectrehadforetoldtoNormanhuntersthattheRedKingshouldbepunishedthere.Andnow,inthepleasantseasonofMay,whentheRedKinghadreignedalmostthirteenyears;andasecondPrinceoftheConqueror'sblood-
　　anotherRichard,thesonofDukeRobert-waskilledbyanarrowinthisdreadedForest;thepeoplesaidthatthesecondtimewasnotthelast,andthattherewasanotherdeathtocome.
　　Itwasalonelyforest,accursedinthepeople'sheartsforthewickeddeedsthathadbeendonetomakeit;andnomansavetheKingandhisCourtiersandHuntsmen,likedtostraythere.But,inreality,itwaslikeanyotherforest.Inthespring,thegreenleavesbrokeoutofthebuds;inthesummer,flourishedheartily,andmadedeepshades;inthewinter,shrivelledandblewdown,andlayinbrownheapsonthemoss.Sometreeswerestately,andgrewhighandstrong;somehadfallenofthemselves;somewerefelledbytheforester'saxe;somewerehollow,andtherabbitsburrowedattheirroots;somefewwerestruckbylightning,andstoodwhiteandbare.Therewerehill-sidescoveredwithrichfern,onwhichthemorningdewsobeautifullysparkled;therewerebrooks,wherethedeerwentdowntodrink,oroverwhichthewholeherdbounded,flyingfromthearrowsofthehuntsmen;thereweresunnyglades,andsolemnplaceswherebutlittlelightcamethroughtherustlingleaves.ThesongsofthebirdsintheNewForestwerepleasantertohearthantheshoutsoffightingmenoutside;andevenwhentheRedKingandhisCourtcamehuntingthroughitssolitudes,cursingloudandridinghard,withajinglingofstirrupsandbridlesandknivesanddaggers,theydidmuchlessharmtherethanamongtheEnglishorNormans,andthestagsdiedastheylivedfareasierthanthepeople.
　　UponadayinAugust,theRedKing,nowreconciledtohisbrother,Fine-Scholar,camewithagreattraintohuntintheNewForest.
　　Fine-Scholarwasoftheparty.Theywereamerryparty,andhadlainallnightatMalwood-Keep,ahunting-lodgeintheforest,wheretheyhadmadegoodcheer,bothatsupperandbreakfast,andhaddrunkadealofwine.Thepartydispersedinvariousdirections,asthecustomofhuntersthenwas.TheKingtookwithhimonlySIRWALTERTYRREL,whowasafamoussportsman,andtowhomhehadgiven,beforetheymountedhorsethatmorning,twofinearrows.
　　ThelasttimetheKingwaseverseenalive,hewasridingwithSirWalterTyrrel,andtheirdogswerehuntingtogether.
　　Itwasalmostnight,whenapoorcharcoal-burner,passingthroughtheforestwithhiscart,cameuponthesolitarybodyofadeadman,shotwithanarrowinthebreast,andstillbleeding.Hegotitintohiscart.ItwasthebodyoftheKing.Shakenandtumbled,withitsredbeardallwhitenedwithlimeandclottedwithblood,itwasdriveninthecartbythecharcoal-burnernextdaytoWinchesterCathedral,whereitwasreceivedandburied.
　　SirWalterTyrrel,whoescapedtoNormandy,andclaimedtheprotectionoftheKingofFrance,sworeinFrancethattheRedKingwassuddenlyshotdeadbyanarrowfromanunseenhand,whiletheywerehuntingtogether;thathewasfearfulofbeingsuspectedastheKing'smurderer;andthatheinstantlysetspurstohishorse,andfledtothesea-shore.OthersdeclaredthattheKingandSirWalterTyrrelwerehuntingincompany,alittlebeforesunset,standinginbushesoppositeoneanother,whenastagcamebetweenthem.ThattheKingdrewhisbowandtookaim,butthestringbroke.ThattheKingthencried,'Shoot,Walter,intheDevil'sname!'ThatSirWaltershot.Thatthearrowglancedagainstatree,wasturnedasidefromthestag,andstrucktheKingfromhishorse,dead.
　　BywhosehandtheRedKingreallyfell,andwhetherthathanddespatchedthearrowtohisbreastbyaccidentorbydesign,isonlyknowntoGOD.Somethinkhisbrothermayhavecausedhimtobekilled;buttheRedKinghadmadesomanyenemies,bothamongpriestsandpeople,thatsuspicionmayreasonablyrestuponalessunnaturalmurderer.MenknownomorethanthathewasfounddeadintheNewForest,whichthesufferingpeoplehadregardedasadoomedgroundforhisrace.
　　CHAPTERX-ENGLANDUNDERHENRYTHEFIRST,CALLEDFINE-SCHOLAR
　　FINE-SCHOLAR,onhearingoftheRedKing'sdeath,hurriedtoWinchesterwithasmuchspeedasRufushimselfhadmade,toseizetheRoyaltreasure.Butthekeeperofthetreasurewhohadbeenoneofthehunting-partyintheForest,madehastetoWinchestertoo,and,arrivingthereataboutthesametime,refusedtoyielditup.Uponthis,Fine-Scholardrewhissword,andthreatenedtokillthetreasurer;whomighthavepaidforhisfidelitywithhislife,butthatheknewlongerresistancetobeuselesswhenhefoundthePrincesupportedbyacompanyofpowerfulbarons,whodeclaredtheyweredeterminedtomakehimKing.Thetreasurer,therefore,gaveupthemoneyandjewelsoftheCrown:andonthethirddayafterthedeathoftheRedKing,beingaSunday,Fine-
　　ScholarstoodbeforethehighaltarinWestminsterAbbey,andmadeasolemndeclarationthathewouldresigntheChurchpropertywhichhisbrotherhadseized;thathewoulddonowrongtothenobles;
　　andthathewouldrestoretothepeoplethelawsofEdwardtheConfessor,withalltheimprovementsofWilliamtheConqueror.SobeganthereignofKINGHENRYTHEFIRST.
　　ThepeoplewereattachedtotheirnewKing,bothbecausehehadknowndistresses,andbecausehewasanEnglishmanbybirthandnotaNorman.Tostrengthenthislastholduponthem,theKingwishedtomarryanEnglishlady;andcouldthinkofnootherwifethanMAUDTHEGOOD,thedaughteroftheKingofScotland.AlthoughthisgoodPrincessdidnotlovetheKing,shewassoaffectedbytherepresentationsthenoblesmadetoherofthegreatcharityitwouldbeinhertounitetheNormanandSaxonraces,andpreventhatredandbloodshedbetweenthemforthefuture,thatsheconsentedtobecomehiswife.Aftersomedisputingamongthepriests,whosaidthatasshehadbeeninaconventinheryouth,andhadworntheveilofanun,shecouldnotlawfullybemarried-
　　againstwhichthePrincessstatedthatheraunt,withwhomshehadlivedinheryouth,hadindeedsometimesthrownapieceofblackstuffoverher,butfornootherreasonthanbecausethenun'sveilwastheonlydresstheconqueringNormansrespectedingirlorwoman,andnotbecauseshehadtakenthevowsofanun,whichsheneverhad-shewasdeclaredfreetomarry,andwasmadeKingHenry'sQueen.AgoodQueenshewas;beautiful,kind-hearted,andworthyofabetterhusbandthantheKing.
　　Forhewasacunningandunscrupulousman,thoughfirmandclever.
　　Hecaredverylittleforhisword,andtookanymeanstogainhisends.AllthisisshowninhistreatmentofhisbrotherRobert-
　　Robert,whohadsufferedhimtoberefreshedwithwater,andwhohadsenthimthewinefromhisowntable,whenhewasshutup,withthecrowsflyingbelowhim,parchedwiththirst,inthecastleonthetopofSt.Michael'sMount,wherehisRedbrotherwouldhavelethimdie.
　　BeforetheKingbegantodealwithRobert,heremovedanddisgracedallthefavouritesofthelateKing;whowereforthemostpartbasecharacters,muchdetestedbythepeople.Flambard,orFirebrand,whomthelateKinghadmadeBishopofDurham,ofallthingsintheworld,HenryimprisonedintheTower;butFirebrandwasagreatjokerandajollycompanion,andmadehimselfsopopularwithhisguardsthattheypretendedtoknownothingaboutalongropethatwassentintohisprisonatthebottomofadeepflagonofwine.Theguardstookthewine,andFirebrandtooktherope;withwhich,whentheywerefastasleep,helethimselfdownfromawindowinthenight,andsogotcleverlyaboardshipandawaytoNormandy.
　　NowRobert,whenhisbrotherFine-Scholarcametothethrone,wasstillabsentintheHolyLand.HenrypretendedthatRoberthadbeenmadeSovereignofthatcountry;andhehadbeenawaysolong,thattheignorantpeoplebelievedit.But,behold,whenHenryhadbeensometimeKingofEngland,RobertcamehometoNormandy;
　　havingleisurelyreturnedfromJerusalemthroughItaly,inwhichbeautifulcountryhehadenjoyedhimselfverymuch,andhadmarriedaladyasbeautifulasitself!InNormandy,hefoundFirebrandwaitingtourgehimtoasserthisclaimtotheEnglishcrown,anddeclarewaragainstKingHenry.This,aftergreatlossoftimeinfeastinganddancingwithhisbeautifulItalianwifeamonghisNormanfriends,heatlastdid.
　　TheEnglishingeneralwereonKingHenry'sside,thoughmanyoftheNormanswereonRobert's.ButtheEnglishsailorsdesertedtheKing,andtookagreatpartoftheEnglishfleetovertoNormandy;
　　sothatRobertcametoinvadethiscountryinnoforeignvessels,butinEnglishships.ThevirtuousAnselm,however,whomHenryhadinvitedbackfromabroad,andmadeArchbishopofCanterbury,wassteadfastintheKing'scause;anditwassowellsupportedthatthetwoarmies,insteadoffighting,madeapeace.PoorRobert,whotrustedanybodyandeverybody,readilytrustedhisbrother,theKing;andagreedtogohomeandreceiveapensionfromEngland,onconditionthatallhisfollowerswerefullypardoned.ThistheKingveryfaithfullypromised,butRobertwasnosoonergonethanhebegantopunishthem.
　　AmongthemwastheEarlofShrewsbury,who,onbeingsummonedbytheKingtoanswertofive-and-fortyaccusations,rodeawaytooneofhisstrongcastles,shuthimselfuptherein,calledaroundhimhistenantsandvassals,andfoughtforhisliberty,butwasdefeatedandbanished.Robert,withallhisfaults,wassotruetohisword,thatwhenhefirstheardofthisnoblemanhavingrisenagainsthisbrother,helaidwastetheEarlofShrewsbury'sestatesinNormandy,toshowtheKingthathewouldfavournobreachoftheirtreaty.Finding,onbetterinformation,afterwards,thattheEarl'sonlycrimewashavingbeenhisfriend,hecameovertoEngland,inhisoldthoughtless,warm-heartedway,tointercedewiththeKing,andremindhimofthesolemnpromisetopardonallhisfollowers.
　　ThisconfidencemighthaveputthefalseKingtotheblush,butitdidnot.Pretendingtobeveryfriendly,hesosurroundedhisbrotherwithspiesandtraps,thatRobert,whowasquiteinhispower,hadnothingforitbuttorenouncehispensionandescapewhilehecould.GettinghometoNormandy,andunderstandingtheKingbetternow,henaturallyalliedhimselfwithhisoldfriendtheEarlofShrewsbury,whohadstillthirtycastlesinthatcountry.ThiswasexactlywhatHenrywanted.HeimmediatelydeclaredthatRoberthadbrokenthetreaty,andnextyearinvadedNormandy.
　　HepretendedthathecametodelivertheNormans,attheirownrequest,fromhisbrother'smisrule.Thereisreasontofearthathismisrulewasbadenough;forhisbeautifulwifehaddied,leavinghimwithaninfantson,andhiscourtwasagainsocareless,dissipated,andill-regulated,thatitwassaidhesometimeslayinbedofadayforwantofclothestoputon-hisattendantshavingstolenallhisdresses.Butheheadedhisarmylikeabraveprinceandagallantsoldier,thoughhehadthemisfortunetobetakenprisonerbyKingHenry,withfourhundredofhisKnights.AmongthemwaspoorharmlessEdgarAtheling,wholovedRobertwell.Edgarwasnotimportantenoughtobeseverewith.TheKingafterwardsgavehimasmallpension,whichheliveduponanddiedupon,inpeace,amongthequietwoodsandfieldsofEngland.
　　AndRobert-poor,kind,generous,wasteful,heedlessRobert,withsomanyfaults,andyetwithvirtuesthatmighthavemadeabetterandahappierman-whatwastheendofhim?IftheKinghadhadthemagnanimitytosaywithakindair,'Brother,tellme,beforethesenoblemen,thatfromthistimeyouwillbemyfaithfulfollowerandfriend,andneverraiseyourhandagainstmeormyforcesmore!'hemighthavetrustedRoberttothedeath.ButtheKingwasnotamagnanimousman.HesentencedhisbrothertobeconfinedforlifeinoneoftheRoyalCastles.Inthebeginningofhisimprisonment,hewasallowedtorideout,guarded;butheonedaybrokeawayfromhisguardandgallopedof.Hehadtheevilfortunetorideintoaswamp,wherehishorsestuckfastandhewastaken.WhentheKingheardofitheorderedhimtobeblinded,whichwasdonebyputtingared-hotmetalbasinonhiseyes.
　　Andso,indarknessandinprison,manyyears,hethoughtofallhispastlife,ofthetimehehadwasted,ofthetreasurehehadsquandered,oftheopportunitieshehadlost,oftheyouthhehadthrownaway,ofthetalentshehadneglected.Sometimes,onfineautumnmornings,hewouldsitandthinkoftheoldhuntingpartiesinthefreeForest,wherehehadbeentheforemostandthegayest.
　　Sometimes,inthestillnights,hewouldwake,andmournforthemanynightsthathadstolenpasthimatthegaming-table;
　　sometimes,wouldseemtohear,uponthemelancholywind,theoldsongsoftheminstrels;sometimes,woulddream,inhisblindness,ofthelightandglitteroftheNormanCourt.Manyandmanyatime,hegropedback,inhisfancy,toJerusalem,wherehehadfoughtsowell;or,attheheadofhisbravecompanions,bowedhisfeatheredhelmettotheshoutsofwelcomegreetinghiminItaly,andseemedagaintowalkamongthesunnyvineyards,orontheshoreofthebluesea,withhislovelywife.Andthen,thinkingofhergrave,andofhisfatherlessboy,hewouldstretchouthissolitaryarmsandweep.
　　Atlength,oneday,therelayinprison,dead,withcruelanddisfiguringscarsuponhiseyelids,bandagedfromhisjailer'ssight,butonwhichtheeternalHeavenslookeddown,awornoldmanofeighty.HehadoncebeenRobertofNormandy.Pityhim!
　　AtthetimewhenRobertofNormandywastakenprisonerbyhisbrother,Robert'slittlesonwasonlyfiveyearsold.Thischildwastaken,too,andcarriedbeforetheKing,sobbingandcrying;
　　for,youngashewas,heknewhehadgoodreasontobeafraidofhisRoyaluncle.TheKingwasnotmuchaccustomedtopitythosewhowereinhispower,buthiscoldheartseemedforthemomenttosoftentowardstheboy.Hewasobservedtomakeagreateffort,asiftopreventhimselffrombeingcruel,andorderedthechildtobetakenaway;whereuponacertainBaron,whohadmarriedadaughterofDukeRobert'sbyname,HelieofSaintSaen,tookchargeofhim,tenderly.TheKing'sgentlenessdidnotlastlong.Beforetwoyearswereover,hesentmessengerstothislord'sCastletoseizethechildandbringhimaway.TheBaronwasnotthereatthetime,buthisservantswerefaithful,andcarriedtheboyoffinhissleepandhidhim.WhentheBaroncamehome,andwastoldwhattheKinghaddone,hetookthechildabroad,and,leadinghimbythehand,wentfromKingtoKingandfromCourttoCourt,relatinghowthechildhadaclaimtothethroneofEngland,andhowhisuncletheKing,knowingthathehadthatclaim,wouldhavemurderedhim,perhaps,butforhisescape.
　　TheyouthandinnocenceoftheprettylittleWILLIAMFITZ-ROBERT
　　forthatwashisnamemadehimmanyfriendsatthattime.Whenhebecameayoungman,theKingofFrance,unitingwiththeFrenchCountsofAnjouandFlanders,supportedhiscauseagainsttheKingofEngland,andtookmanyoftheKing'stownsandcastlesinNormandy.But,KingHenry,artfulandcunningalways,bribedsomeofWilliam'sfriendswithmoney,somewithpromises,somewithpower.HeboughtofftheCountofAnjou,bypromisingtomarryhiseldestson,alsonamedWILLIAM,totheCount'sdaughter;andindeedthewholetrustofthisKing'slifewasinsuchbargains,andhebelievedasmanyanotherKinghasdonesince,andasoneKingdidinFranceaverylittletimeagothateveryman'struthandhonourcanbeboughtatsomeprice.Forallthis,hewassoafraidofWilliamFitz-Robertandhisfriends,that,foralongtime,hebelievedhislifetobeindanger;andneverlaydowntosleep,eveninhispalacesurroundedbyhisguards,withouthavingaswordandbucklerathisbedside.
　　Tostrengthenhispower,theKingwithgreatceremonybetrothedhiseldestdaughterMATILDA,thenachildonlyeightyearsold,tobethewifeofHenrytheFifth,theEmperorofGermany.Toraisehermarriage-portion,hetaxedtheEnglishpeopleinamostoppressivemanner;thentreatedthemtoagreatprocession,torestoretheirgoodhumour;andsentMatildaaway,infinestate,withtheGermanambassadors,tobeeducatedinthecountryofherfuturehusband.
　　AndnowhisQueen,MaudtheGood,unhappilydied.Itwasasadthoughtforthatgentlelady,thattheonlyhopewithwhichshehadmarriedamanwhomshehadneverloved-thehopeofreconcilingtheNormanandEnglishraces-hadfailed.Attheverytimeofherdeath,NormandyandallFrancewasinarmsagainstEngland;for,sosoonashislastdangerwasover,KingHenryhadbeenfalsetoalltheFrenchpowershehadpromised,bribed,andbought,andtheyhadnaturallyunitedagainsthim.Aftersomefighting,however,inwhichfewsufferedbuttheunhappycommonpeoplewhoalwayssuffered,whatsoeverwasthematter,hebegantopromise,bribe,andbuyagain;andbythosemeans,andbythehelpofthePope,whoexertedhimselftosavemorebloodshed,andbysolemnlydeclaring,overandoveragain,thathereallywasinearnestthistime,andwouldkeephisword,theKingmadepeace.
　　Oneofthefirstconsequencesofthispeacewas,thattheKingwentovertoNormandywithhissonPrinceWilliamandagreatretinue,tohavethePrinceacknowledgedashissuccessorbytheNormanNobles,andtocontractthepromisedmarriagethiswasoneofthemanypromisestheKinghadbrokenbetweenhimandthedaughteroftheCountofAnjou.Boththesethingsweretriumphantlydone,withgreatshowandrejoicing;andonthetwenty-fifthofNovember,intheyearonethousandonehundredandtwenty,thewholeretinuepreparedtoembarkatthePortofBarfleur,forthevoyagehome.
　　Onthatday,andatthatplace,therecametotheKing,Fitz-
　　Stephen,asea-captain,andsaid:
　　'Myliege,myfatherservedyourfatherallhislife,uponthesea.
　　Hesteeredtheshipwiththegoldenboyupontheprow,inwhichyourfathersailedtoconquerEngland.Ibeseechyoutograntmethesameoffice.Ihaveafairvesselintheharbourhere,calledTheWhiteShip,mannedbyfiftysailorsofrenown.Iprayyou,Sire,toletyourservanthavethehonourofsteeringyouinTheWhiteShiptoEngland!'
　　'Iamsorry,friend,'repliedtheKing,'thatmyvesselisalreadychosen,andthatIcannotthereforesailwiththesonofthemanwhoservedmyfather.ButthePrinceandallhiscompanyshallgoalongwithyou,inthefairWhiteShip,mannedbythefiftysailorsofrenown.'
　　Anhourortwoafterwards,theKingsetsailinthevesselhehadchosen,accompaniedbyothervessels,and,sailingallnightwithafairandgentlewind,arriveduponthecoastofEnglandinthemorning.Whileitwasyetnight,thepeopleinsomeofthoseshipsheardafaintwildcrycomeoverthesea,andwonderedwhatitwas.
　　Now,thePrincewasadissolute,debauchedyoungmanofeighteen,whoborenolovetotheEnglish,andhaddeclaredthatwhenhecametothethronehewouldyokethemtotheploughlikeoxen.HewentaboardTheWhiteShip,withonehundredandfortyyouthfulNobleslikehimself,amongwhomwereeighteennobleladiesofthehighestrank.Allthisgaycompany,withtheirservantsandthefiftysailors,madethreehundredsoulsaboardthefairWhiteShip.
　　'Givethreecasksofwine,Fitz-Stephen,'saidthePrince,'tothefiftysailorsofrenown!MyfathertheKinghassailedoutoftheharbour.Whattimeistheretomakemerryhere,andyetreachEnglandwiththerest?'
　　'Prince!'saidFitz-Stephen,'beforemorning,myfiftyandTheWhiteShipshallovertaketheswiftestvesselinattendanceonyourfathertheKing,ifwesailatmidnight!'
　　ThenthePrincecommandedtomakemerry;andthesailorsdrankoutthethreecasksofwine;andthePrinceandallthenoblecompanydancedinthemoonlightonthedeckofTheWhiteShip.
　　When,atlast,sheshotoutoftheharbourofBarfleur,therewasnotasoberseamanonboard.Butthesailswereallset,andtheoarsallgoingmerrily.Fitz-Stephenhadthehelm.Thegayyoungnoblesandthebeautifulladies,wrappedinmantlesofvariousbrightcolourstoprotectthemfromthecold,talked,laughed,andsang.ThePrinceencouragedthefiftysailorstorowharderyet,forthehonourofTheWhiteShip.
　　Crash!Aterrificcrybrokefromthreehundredhearts.ItwasthecrythepeopleinthedistantvesselsoftheKingheardfaintlyonthewater.TheWhiteShiphadstruckuponarock-wasfilling-
　　goingdown!
　　Fitz-StephenhurriedthePrinceintoaboat,withsomefewNobles.
　　'Pushoff,'hewhispered;'androwtoland.Itisnotfar,andtheseaissmooth.Therestofusmustdie.'
　　But,astheyrowedaway,fast,fromthesinkingship,thePrinceheardthevoiceofhissisterMARIE,theCountessofPerche,callingforhelp.Heneverinhislifehadbeensogoodashewasthen.Hecriedinanagony,'Rowbackatanyrisk!Icannotbeartoleaveher!'
　　Theyrowedback.AsthePrinceheldouthisarmstocatchhissister,suchnumbersleapedin,thattheboatwasoverset.AndinthesameinstantTheWhiteShipwentdown.
　　Onlytwomenfloated.Theybothclungtothemainyardoftheship,whichhadbrokenfromthemast,andnowsupportedthem.Oneaskedtheotherwhohewas?Hesaid,'Iamanobleman,GODFREYbyname,thesonofGILBERTDEL'AIGLE.Andyou?'saidhe.'IamBEROLD,apoorbutcherofRouen,'wastheanswer.Then,theysaidtogether,'Lordbemercifultousboth!'andtriedtoencourageoneanother,astheydriftedinthecoldbenumbingseaonthatunfortunateNovembernight.
　　By-and-by,anothermancameswimmingtowardsthem,whomtheyknew,whenhepushedasidehislongwethair,tobeFitz-Stephen.'WhereisthePrince?'saidhe.'Gone!Gone!'thetwocriedtogether.
　　'Neitherhe,norhisbrother,norhissister,northeKing'sniece,norherbrother,noranyoneofallthebravethreehundred,nobleorcommoner,exceptwethree,hasrisenabovethewater!'Fitz-
　　Stephen,withaghastlyface,cried,'Woe!woe,tome!'andsunktothebottom.
　　Theothertwoclungtotheyardforsomehours.Atlengththeyoungnoblesaidfaintly,'Iamexhausted,andchilledwiththecold,andcanholdnolonger.Farewell,goodfriend!Godpreserveyou!'So,hedroppedandsunk;andofallthebrilliantcrowd,thepoorButcherofRouenalonewassaved.Inthemorning,somefishermensawhimfloatinginhissheep-skincoat,andgothimintotheirboat-thesolerelaterofthedismaltale.
　　Forthreedays,noonedaredtocarrytheintelligencetotheKing.
　　Atlength,theysentintohispresencealittleboy,who,weepingbitterly,andkneelingathisfeet,toldhimthatTheWhiteShipwaslostwithallonboard.TheKingfelltothegroundlikeadeadman,andnever,neverafterwards,wasseentosmile.
　　Butheplottedagain,andpromisedagain,andbribedandboughtagain,inhisolddeceitfulway.Havingnosontosucceedhim,afterallhispains'ThePrincewillneveryokeustotheplough,now!'saidtheEnglishpeople,hetookasecondwife-ADELAISorALICE,aduke'sdaughter,andthePope'sniece.Havingnomorechildren,however,heproposedtotheBaronstoswearthattheywouldrecogniseashissuccessor,hisdaughterMatilda,whom,asshewasnowawidow,hemarriedtotheeldestsonoftheCountofAnjou,GEOFFREY,surnamedPLANTAGENET,fromacustomhehadofwearingasprigoffloweringbroomcalledGen坱inFrenchinhiscapforafeather.Asonefalsemanusuallymakesmany,andasafalseKing,inparticular,isprettycertaintomakeafalseCourt,theBaronstooktheoathaboutthesuccessionofMatildaandherchildrenafterher,twiceover,withoutintheleastintendingtokeepit.TheKingwasnowrelievedfromanyremainingfearsofWilliamFitz-Robert,byhisdeathintheMonasteryofSt.Omer,inFrance,attwenty-sixyearsold,ofapike-woundinthehand.AndasMatildagavebirthtothreesons,hethoughtthesuccessiontothethronesecure.
　　Hespentmostofthelatterpartofhislife,whichwastroubledbyfamilyquarrels,inNormandy,tobenearMatilda.Whenhehadreignedupwardofthirty-fiveyears,andwassixty-sevenyearsold,hediedofanindigestionandfever,broughtonbyeating,whenhewasfarfromwell,ofafishcalledLamprey,againstwhichhehadoftenbeencautionedbyhisphysicians.HisremainswerebroughtovertoReadingAbbeytobeburied.
　　Youmayperhapshearthecunningandpromise-breakingofKingHenrytheFirst,called'policy'bysomepeople,and'diplomacy'byothers.Neitherofthesefinewordswillintheleastmeanthatitwastrue;andnothingthatisnottruecanpossiblybegood.
　　Hisgreatestmerit,thatIknowof,washisloveoflearning-I